From Lateef Taiwo

The Nasarawa state government has pledged to collaborate with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) with aims to improve healthcare quality by fostering better working conditions, training, and resource availability for resident doctors.

This, the partnership could lead to enhanced medical services, reduced healthcare challenges, and overall improved patient outcomes in the state.

Deputy Governor of Nasarawa state, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, made the commitment during the flag-off of a two-day training workshop organized by the North Central zone of the Nigerian Medical Association, in collaboration with the Damilola Adeyemi Cardiovascular Foundation (DAC-FOUND), held at the Federal Medical Center Keffi, on Wednesday.

The Deputy Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Gaza Gwamna, said the event was in line with the state government’s policy to transform the health sector for the betterment of its citizens.

He assured the management of the Federal Medical Center and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors of continued partnership to enhance quality healthcare services to the people of Nasarawa state. According to him, the Nasarawa state government has been supporting health practitioners and institutions with facilities to enable them to carry out their duties as expected.

The Speaker of the Nasarawa state House of Assembly, Dr. Danladi Jatau, commended the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, FMC Keffi chapter, for organizing the North Central training workshop in a bid to provide healthcare services to the people.

Dr. Jatau reiterated that the Nasarawa state House of Assembly, under his leadership, will continue to enact laws that will promote healthcare services to citizens of the state and called on the participants to ensure proper utilization of the knowledge gained during the workshop.

The Speaker emphasized that the state assembly will work closely with the various medical associations in the state to ensure they are protected by laws for the smooth running of their affairs.

He announced the donation of five hundred thousand Naira to the association as his candid support, urging them to make proper use of it to achieve their objectives.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, FMC Keffi chapter, Dr. Ashimom Timothy Msughter, said the event was organized to educate people on the need to know how to provide basic healthcare services before taking patients to the hospital.

The NSHA Speaker Dr. Danladi Jatau while presenting an award to Commissioner for health Dr Gaza Gwamna during NARD Zonal event.
Dr. Ashimom thanked the Nasarawa state government and the Speaker of the state Assembly for their support to the association and promised to continue delivering quality healthcare services to the people.

He said the participants at the event including, federal road safety Corps, NSCDC, fire service among other relevant stakeholders Will be trained for two day on the need to know ways of providing first health care services to the people.

The Medical Director/CO of the Federal Medical Director of Federal Medical Center, Keffi Dr Yahaya Baba Adamu appreciated the efforts of the organizers of event and assured them of his support to enable the association achieved their goals

Highpoint at the event was the award presented to the deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, the speaker, Danladi Jatau, the commissioner for health, Dr. Gaza Gwamna and Medical director of FMC, Dr. Yahaya Baba Adamu among others.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Government has reiterated its commitment to improving oral health across the state, describing it as a vital component of general wellbeing.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, reiterated this at the opening ceremony of a three-day free oral health outreach, organised by the State Ministry of Health in partnership with Pharma Decko PLC.

The Commissioner, who was represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Oluwatosin Fakayode, described oral health as a frequently overlooked but essential aspect of healthcare.

“Oral health is the cornerstone of overall health, yet it is often neglected, poor oral hygiene contributes to several non-communicable diseases, though its effects are gradual and often unnoticed until they become serious. That’s why this outreach is timely and essential,” El-Imam said.

She applauded Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his sustained investment in healthcare, especially the recent renovation and equipping of the state’s dental clinic.

The Commissioner urged residents to take full advantage of the outreach by accessing free dental checks and professional guidance on maintaining good oral hygiene.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of Pharma Decko PLC, Mr. Ishola Olukayode, lauded the Kwara State Government, as well as the Ministry of Health, for their support for the initiative, adding that; “despite the short notice, the Ministry gave them overwhelming support which they profoundly appreciated.

“Pharma Decko PLC is committed to supporting oral health in Nigeria. Unfortunately, many people unknowingly use dangerous chemicals on their teeth due to a lack of awareness, putting their overall health at risk,” Mr Olukayode explained.

He emphasised that proper oral hygiene goes beyond brushing the teeth, stressing the need for regular professional check-ups and community awareness campaigns.

In a brief oral health education session, the Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr. Kasali Ajao, revealed that brushing alone addresses only about 40 percent of oral hygiene needs.

He noted that professional procedures such as scaling and polishing, recommended for at least twice a year, are necessary for comprehensive dental care.

Residents have, therefore, been encouraged to take advantage of the free Dental Care outreach holding at the Dental Unit of KWASUTH between Tuesday and Thursday this week for their oral diagnoses and treatments.

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• Launches statewide nutrition campaign

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has launched a statewide nutrition campaign, codenamed “Eat A Rainbow”, as part of activities marking the 2025 World Nutrition Day.

Designed by the State Ministry of Health led by the Commissioner, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, the Eat A Rainbow campaign is an innovative crusade of the administration to improve intakes of balanced diets across families.

The Governor called it a people-centred effort that reflects his administration’s commitment to improving the well-being of the people and build on its successes in the subsector.

“This campaign is more than just about fruits and vegetables. It is a call to action — a reminder that the choices we make today directly shape the future of our children, families, and communities,” the Governor said.

He was represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru.

“Daily consumption of diverse, colourful fruits and vegetables amounts to taking a strong stand against malnutrition, chronic diseases, and preventable illnesses,” he added.

AbdulRazaq said the “Eat a Rainbow” campaign is rooted in science and compassion that recognises that sustainable health lies in prevention, education, and empowerment.

Kwara First Lady Amb. Mrs Olufolake AbdulRazaq was represented by Commissioner for Special Duties Hon. John Bello.

Also in attendance were cabinet members; local government chairmen; heads of agencies such as Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Development Agency Prof. Nusirat Elelu and Executive Secretary of the Hospital Management Board Dr. Abdulraheem Malik; Emir of Shonga Dr Haliru Yahaya; Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr Abubakar Usman Jos; Balogun Fulani Alhaji Atiku Sidiq; and university lecturer and guest speaker of the day, Prof Fausat Kolawole; among others.

The First Lady commended the government for promoting healthy citizenry through various initiatives and right investments in the UNICEF Child Malnutrition Fund, among other nutrition supporting platforms.

She encouraged Kwarans to cultivate a habit of eating balanced diets to live a healthy life.

In an earlier address to unveil the campaign, Commissioner for Health, El-Imam, said the Eat a Rainbow campaign would reposition the nutrition of the people for good.

She said the state is committed to further reducing the percentage of children mapped for malnutrition, adding, however, that the efforts of the administration explain the downward slope of the malnutrition curve in Kwara State.

Between 2013 and 2019, UNICEF exited Kwara for lack of continuity in the payment of counterpart funds, El-Imam said, adding that this triggered malnutrition crisis in the state.

“It is verifiable in public records that our malnutrition indices started faltering cumulatively since this period. Specifically, the proportion of children suffering from wasting or who have low weights for their heights rose from 6.5% in 2013 to 7.3% in 2018. These were lost years in the nutrition journey for our mothers and children,” El-Imam said.

“Today, this figure is down to 6.1 % of under-5 children in Kwara state, meaning an estimated 50,744 children need immediate support from wasting, while the national figure is 8.0%. Even with better indices than the national average, we want to bring down the figure.”

The government realised that the wasting figure of 7.3% cited in the 2018 report was one that must be confronted head-on and directed the Ministry to tackle the multiple forms of malnutrition in the state, she said.

The Commissioner said such commitment has enabled the state to implement sustained, high-impact, and cost-effective interventions at both the health facility and community levels.

She said malnutrition is a nationwide problem, as exacerbated by security challenges, among other factors, pledging that the administration will continually mobilise resources to tackle malnutrition and put Kwara in a better standing in the area of malnutrition.

She added: “To improve the quality of nutrition service delivered in health facilities, the Ministry recently trained primary, secondary and tertiary health workers on Maternal Infant and Young Child Nutrition; and trained them on Growth Monitoring and Promotion.

“We also trained them on the administration of Multiple Micronutrient Powder to children; we also trained Emergency Management Agency officials and LGA staff on mainstreaming nutrition for improved response.

“To demonstrate the multisectoral interventions of this government in combating malnutrition, earlier this month, the Ministry of Health conducted the orientation of Agricultural extension workers on promoting food diversification and homestead gardening in the communities.

“Today, we are spreading the gospel all across the state with the new campaign tagged Eat a Rainbow. This has been in the works since last year.

“As we all know, balanced nutrition, which involves consuming the right proportions of carbohydrates, proteins, and other food classes, is essential to maintain health and prevent diseases. Together, food diversification and balanced nutrition form the pillars of a healthy population and a prosperous Kwara. This is what today’s Eat a Rainbow campaign hopes to achieve. The Eat a Rainbow campaign is about celebrating food diversity, enhancing dietary quality, and promoting community action.

“We are urging all Kwarans to embrace colourful, balanced diets. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Add groundnuts to your garri, mix moimoi with your pap, toss vegetables like efo tete and gbure into every meal.”

Prof. Kolawole said malnutrition remains a profound public health challenge in Nigeria, which she noted can manifest undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and increasingly over nutrition.

She listed the shift from traditional foods to western style fast foods, urbanisation, food advertising, ignorance, and poverty as some of the causes of malnutrition in Nigeria, urging parents and other stakeholders to consume food with balanced diets.

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